There is research that shows that listening to music can boost your mood and that it can be an integral part of healthy living.

Researchers at the University of Missouri found that people can boost their mood by choosing upbeat music to listen to.

“Our work provides support for what many people already do – listen to music to improve their moods,” said lead author Yuna Ferguson, who performed the study while she was an Missouri University doctoral student in psychological science.

“Although pursuing personal happiness may be thought of as a self-centered venture, research suggests that happiness relates to a higher probability of socially beneficial behavior, better physical health, higher income and greater relationship satisfaction.”

In two studies conducted by Ferguson participants improved their moods in the short term and boosted their overall happiness over a two-week period.

During the first study, participants boosted their mood after being told to try to do so, but only if they listened to upbeat music (by composer Aaron Copland as opposed to sadder music by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky).

Participants reported higher levels of happiness after two weeks of lab sessions in which they listened to positive music while trying to feel happier, compared to control participants who only listened to music.

If you’d like a free guided mood booster, download this Joyful Mood Booster, a guided and meditative mood boosting track featuring music and guided by Depression Expert Kay Walker.